Systems and methods for electronic discovery

ABSTRACT

A system for electronic discovery may comprise an electronic discovery platform; a two-handed controller configured to produce a plurality of signals; and a memory configured to store at least one set of controller signal relationships, the controller signal relationships being associated with the two-handed controller. A system for electronic discovery may further comprise an interface application communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the interface application uses the at least one set of controller signal relationships to associate at least one of the plurality of signals from the two-handed controller with at least one of a plurality of discovery commands associated with the discovery of electronic data, and wherein the interface application communicates a determined discovery command such that the discovery command is executed by the electronic discovery platform.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/605,728 (filed Oct. 26, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,226,482 B2), theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings relate to systems and methods for electronicdiscovery. More particularly, the present teachings relate to systemsand methods for electronic discovery using a two-handed controller.

BACKGROUND

The nature of digital data makes it well-suited to investigation.Digital data, for example, can be electronically searched with relativeease as compared to paper documents, for example, which must bescrutinized manually. Digital data is also difficult to completelydestroy, particularly once it is saved onto a computer network.Electronic discovery, (“e-discovery”), refers to any process in whichdigital or electronic data is sought, located, secured, searched,reviewed and/or produced. E-discovery, for example, is often conductedwith the intent of using digital or electronic data as evidence in acivil or criminal legal case. E-discovery is also used in othercontexts, including, for example, conducting an internal investigation;creating a virtual data room in support of the due diligence process ina merger, acquisition or other transaction; internal case management;and responding to a subpoena.

In the process of electronic discovery, electronic and digital datafiles of all types can be collected, located, secured, searched,reviewed and/or produced. This can include, for example, text (i.e.,e-mail, instant messaging chats and word-processing documents (e.g.,Word® documents)), images, calendar files, databases, spreadsheets,audio files, animation files, Web-sites and/or computer programs. Evenmalware such as viruses, Trojans and spyware can be secured andinvestigated. With the increasing use of electronic devices forcreating, storing and transferring data, however, the retrieval andanalysis of useful and valuable electronic information can posechallenges. Consequently, various electronic discovery service providersand software platforms have been developed to help support theelectronic discovery process and assist lawyers, paralegals and otherlegal professionals (“reviewers”) with the effective retrieval andreview of relevant digital data.

Electronic discovery software tools can, for example, categorize, searchand/or sort for data in a variety of formats. Reports can be generatedwithin minutes and documents can be viewed, tagged and/or redacted.During the discovery process, documents and other electronic data aregenerally loaded and maintained on a central database, for example,while electronic discovery software is loaded onto various terminals,workstations, or other computers, where reviewers may access and reviewthe electronic data, utilizing the software's various tools. Eachcomputer, for example, may generally include various input devices, suchas, for example, a keyboard and/or mouse, to allow navigation of theelectronic discovery software (e.g., to move from electronic data fileto electronic data file, to view pages within an electronic file, toredact portions of a an electronic data file, and to “tag” an electronicdata file for later identification, retrieval, organization and/orproduction).

Input devices, such as a keyboard and mouse, which are conventionallyused with electronic discovery software, however, can be inefficient andoften uncomfortable. Also, some input devices limit reviewers toone-handed operation of the device. Further, such input devices providelimited functionality (i.e., generally being restricted topoint-and-click and/or scroll applications). To increase reviewerefficiency and, ultimately, reduce the costs associated withe-discovery, it may therefore be advantageous to provide an input devicethat allows for two-handed manipulation of the electronic discoverysoftware, affording seamless transition between software applicationsand more proficient utilization of software tools, while also reducingreviewer temptation to navigate away from the discovery software to theInternet or other computer programs. To further increase reviewerefficiency and/or engagement in the review process, thereby reducing thecost of conducting e-discovery, it may also be advantageous to provide ahandheld input device that affords increased functionality and mobilitywhen utilizing various review tools and/or tasks within the discoverysoftware. To increase reviewer comfort throughout a lengthy and oftenarduous electronic data review process it may be further advantageous toprovide an ergonomically designed input device that limits the amount ofstrain on a reviewer's wrists and hands.

SUMMARY

The present teachings may solve one or more of the above-mentionedproblems and/or may demonstrate one or more of the above-mentioneddesirable features. Other features and/or advantages may become apparentfrom the description that follows.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, a system forelectronic discovery may comprise an electronic discovery platform, atwo-handed controller configured to produce a plurality of signals, anda memory configured to store at least one set of controller signalrelationships, the controller signal relationships being associated withthe two-handed controller. A system for electronic discovery may furthercomprise an interface application communicatively coupled to the memory,wherein the interface application uses the at least one set ofcontroller signal relationships to associate at least one of theplurality of signals from the two-handed controller with at least one ofa plurality of discovery commands associated with the discovery ofelectronic data, and wherein the interface application communicates adetermined discovery command such that the discovery command is executedby the electronic discovery platform.

In accordance with various additional exemplary embodiments, a methodfor electronic discovery may comprise receiving a signal from atwo-handed controller and determining a discovery command associatedwith the signal from the two-handed controller. A method for electronicdiscovery may further comprise communicating the determined discoverycommand to an electronic discovery platform, wherein the electronicdiscovery platform may execute the discovery command.

Additional objects and advantages will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the present teachings. Theobjects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of theelements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present teachings can be understood from the following detaileddescription either alone or together with the accompanying drawings. Thedrawings are included to provide a further understanding, and areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. Thedrawings illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description serve to explain variousprinciples and operation.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system for electronicdiscovery using a two-handed controller in accordance with the presentteachings;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of atwo-handed controller for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the controller of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an additional exemplary embodiment of atwo-handed controller for use with the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a table that identifies example default controller signalrelationships for the controller of FIG. 2 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present teachings;

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary steps of a method of performing electronicdiscovery using the controller of FIG. 2 and configured according toFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 illustrates exemplary steps of a method of configuring andreconfiguring the controller signal relationships associated with atwo-handed controller in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent teachings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As noted above, an input device, such as a mouse, can be inefficient anduncomfortable when used for long periods of time during an electronicdiscovery process. Such devices, for example, generally limit reviewersto desktop, one-handed navigation, while only providing a very limitedamount of point-and-click and scroll functionality, which tends to slowdown the e-discovery process and increase costs for the party conductinge-discovery. To increase reviewer efficiency, various exemplaryembodiments of the present teachings consider systems and methods forelectronic discovery that utilize a two-handed controller, which allowsfor handheld, two-handed manipulation of the electronic discoverysoftware, thereby facilitating transition between software applicationsand providing more proficient utilization of software tools. Variousexemplary embodiments of the present teachings consider, for example,systems and methods for electronic discovery that utilize a two-handedcontroller comprising various buttons and/or joysticks that can beassigned to various review tools and/or tasks within the discoverysoftware. Furthermore, to increase reviewer comfort throughout a lengthyand often arduous electronic review process, various exemplaryembodiments of the present teachings consider, for example, systems andmethods of electronic discovery that utilize an ergonomically designedtwo-handed controller, such as, for example, a handheld video gamecontroller, configurations of which are generally known to thoseordinarily skilled in the art.

As used herein, the term “two-handed controller” refers to a controllerthat is configured to be supported in the hands during use and can besimultaneously manipulated with both hands. In contrast to inputdevices, such as a mouse and keyboard, which generally require that thedevice be supported on a planar surface for proper manipulation and use,a two-handed controller in accordance with the present teachings mayafford complete functionality without resting on a surface. Those ofordinary skill in the art will understand, however, that in variousembodiments, a two-handed controller can be manipulated with only onehand and/or may rest on a surface during use without departing from thescope of the present teachings. However, the configuration of two-handedcontrollers in accordance with the present teachings provide for usewhen supported in a user's hands and manipulability by both handswithout sacrificing ease of use.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for electronic discovery 10 usinga two-handed controller 34. As shown in FIG. 1, system 10 may include anumber of user computer terminals 12 coupled to an electronic discoveryplatform 14 by a communications network 16. User computer terminals 12provide users 22 access to engage in discovery activity via discoveryplatform 14. Those ordinarily skilled in the art will understand that auser 22 may be any entity, such as an individual reviewer (e.g. anattorney, paralegal, or other legal professional), group of individualsor firm, that engages in discovery activity via system 10.

Electronic discovery platform 14 is an electronic discoveryarchitecture, that facilitates the discovery and review of electronicdata files, including, but not limited to, text (i.e. e-mail, instantmessaging chats and Word® documents), images, calendar files, databases,spreadsheets, audio files, animation files. Web sites and computerprograms. Electronic discovery platform 14 may be a computer, a server,a management center, or a headquartering office of any person, business,or entity that provides and/or maintains the electronic discoverysoftware. Accordingly, those ordinarily skilled in the art willunderstand that electronic discovery platform 14 may include anysuitable hardware, software, personnel, devices, components, elements,and/or objects that may be utilized or implemented to achieve theoperations and functions of an administration body or supervising entitythat manages and/or administers the electronic discovery software andrelated discovery environment.

The electronic discovery platform 14 may be provided, for example, byany known electronic discovery service provider and/or vendor,including, but not limited to Stratify® provided by Iron Mountain® Inc.,Concordance® provided by LexisNexis®, CaseData™ provided by CaseDataInc., and Ontrack® Inview™ provided by Kroll Ontrack®.

Communications network 16 is a communicative platform operable toexchange data or information between electronic discovery platform 14and terminals 12. In various exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings, communications network 16 comprises, for example, an Internetarchitecture, which provides users 22 with the ability to electronicallyreview documents and execute discovery commands to be delivered to theelectronic discovery platform 14. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill understand, however, that communications network 16 can be anyappropriate architecture or system that facilitates communications in anetwork environment, such as, for example, any packet data network(PDN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), widearea network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), virtual privatenetwork (VPN) or intranet.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, however, that invarious embodiments, the electronic discovery platform 14 may beconfigured to run locally on terminals 12. Consequently, in variousembodiments, a communications network 16 may not be required to exchangedata or information between electronic discovery platform 14 andterminals 12.

A user terminal 12 may include a computer system and appropriatesoftware to allow user 22 to engage in electronic discovery activity viaelectronic discovery platform 14. As used herein, the term “computer”refers to any suitable device operable to accept input, process theinput according to predetermined rules, and produce output. A computermay comprise, for example, a personal computer, laptop, work station,network computer, wireless data port, wireless telephone, personaldigital assistant (PDA), personal gaming system (e.g., Microsoft Xbox®or Sony PlayStation® game console), one or more processors within and ofthose devices, or any other suitable processing device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a user terminal 12 may include a terminal body 30, adisplay device 32 and a two-handed controller 34. User terminal 12 mayalso include one or more additional input devices, such as, for example,a keyboard and/or a mouse.

The terminal body 30 may include a processor 46 and a memory unit 48that stores an interface application 50. Processor 46 may process dataassociated with system 10, which may include, for example, executingcoded instructions associated with interface application 50. Memory unit48 may be coupled to processor 46 and may include one or more databasesand/or other suitable memory devices, including, but not limited to, oneor more random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs),dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), microcontrollers ormicroprocessors. The terminal body 30 also includes one or more inputports 54, each of which provides an interface for coupling thetwo-handed controller 34, and/or other peripheral devices to interfaceapplication 50. The input ports 54 may include various types ofinterfaces, including, but not limited to, USB type ports, serial ports,parallel ports. Bluetooth® ports or FireWire® ports. In the exemplaryembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, for example, the terminal body 30includes a serial port 60 and a USB type port 62. Although in thedepicted embodiment the two-handed controller 34 is coupled to a USBtype port 62 via a USB cable 72, those ordinarily skilled in the artwould understand that the two-handed controller 34 may be coupled tovarious types of input ports, depending on the type of cable and/or plugthat is provided by the two-handed controller 34.

In various additional exemplary embodiments of the present teachings,the two-handed controller 34 may communicate with the interfaceapplication 50 at least in part by wireless communications, affording auser 22 with more freedom of movement relative to the terminal body 30.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, the two-handed controller 34 mayinclude a wireless transceiver 77 that communicates wirelessly with awireless transceiver 78 associated with the terminal body 30. Suchwireless communications may utilize any suitable wireless communicationsprotocols with which those ordinarily skilled in the art are familiar.

The display device 32 may be any suitable device for displayinginformation to the user 22, such as, for example, a notebook display,monitor, or a television. Although only a single display device isillustrated in FIG. 1, the system 10 could also include 2 or moredisplay devices 32 to allow for viewing of different screen shots (e.g.,documents, etc.) on each display device.

The two-handed controller 34 may be any variety of handheld, two-handedinput device, such as, for example, an input device used in connectionwith video and/or computer gaming, such as, for example, a handheldvideo game controller, such as a gamepad, joypad and/or control pad,used in connection with a Microsoft Xbox® gaming console or a SonyPlayStation® gaming console. As above, a two-handed controller refers toa controller that is configured to be supported in a user's hands duringuse and can be simultaneously manipulated with both hands. Accordingly,unlike input devices, such as a mouse and keyboard, which generallyrequire that the device be supported on a planar surface for propermanipulation and use, a two-handed controller in accordance with thepresent teachings may afford complete functionality without resting on asurface. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, however,that in various embodiments, a two-handed controller can be manipulatedwith only one hand and/or may rest on a surface during use withoutdeparting from the scope of the present teachings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, in various exemplary embodiments of thepresent teachings, the two-handed controller 34 may include at least onebutton, at least one joystick and/or at least one arrow key. Thedepression and/or manipulation of such buttons, joysticks and/or arrowkeys by a user 22 may generate a plurality of signals, which may bereceived and interpreted by interface application 50 in order togenerate commands related to the functions of electronic discoverysystem 10.

Interface application 50 includes one or more applications and modulesthat provide interfaces that allow user 22 to communicate withelectronic discovery platform 14 using the two-handed controller 34 andthe display device 32. As would be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art, such applications and modules may include, for example,graphical user interface (GUI) applications that generate displays ofinformation on the display device 32; receive and interpret commandsfrom the two-handed controller 34 in order to cause changes to theactive display on the display device 32 and to generate and sendmessages to the electronic discovery platform 14; and receive andinterpret messages from the electronic discovery platform 14 in order tocause changes to the active display on the display device 32.

The interface application 50 may include any suitable software or codedinstructions for providing at least the various functionalitiesdiscussed herein with reference to the interface application 50 and thetwo-handed controller 34. Various exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings, for example, contemplate utilizing interface software, suchas, for example, ControlMK® a freeware program developed by programmerRedcl0ud, which may allow the two-handed controller 34 to emulate thefunctionality of a traditional mouse and/or keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the interface application may include amapping module 80 and a configuration module 81. The mapping module 80may define various relationships for mapping signals received from thetwo-handed controller 34 with various commands associated with thediscovery of electronic data. The mapping module 80 may include, forexample, controller signal relationships 82, which associate a signalgenerated by the two-handed controller 32 with a discovery commandassociated with the system 10.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present teachings, the mappingmodule 80 may include sets of controller signal relationships 82 forvarious types and/or models of two-handed controllers 34 for use inconjunction with various electronic discovery platforms 14. Accordingly,if more than one type and/or model of two-handed controller 34 is usedwith a particular user terminal 12, or more than one electronicdiscovery platform 14 is accessed from a particular user terminal 12,controller signal relationships 82 specific to each type and/or model oftwo-handed controller 34 and/or electronic discovery platform 14 may bestored and retrieved from the mapping module 80. Furthermore, in variousexemplary embodiments, each type and/or model of two-handed controller34 and/or electronic discovery platform 14 may have a defaultconfiguration of controller signal relationships 82 maintained by themapping module 80.

The configuration module 81 cooperates with the mapping module 80 toallow users 22 to configure and/or reconfigure various controller signalrelationships 82. In various exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings, for example, the configuration module 81 allows a user 22 toconfigure a set of controller signal relationships 82 associated with anunconfigured two-handed controller 34, as well as to reconfigure the setof controller signal relationships 82 associated with a previouslyconfigured two-handed controller 34 for use with a different electronicdiscovery platform 14. In various exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings, the controller signal relationships 82 associated with atwo-handed controller 34 may be reconfigured any number of times to beused in conjunction with any number of electronic discovery platforms14.

The mapping module 80 and the configuration module 81 may include all orportions of the software or coded instructions associated with theinterface application 50. The mapping module 80 and the configurationmodule 81 may also be partially or completely integrated. In addition,multiple instances of the mapping module 80 and/or the configurationmodule 81 may be provided by the interface application 50.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a two-handedcontroller 34 for use with the electronic discovery system 10 of FIG. 1,with FIG. 2 showing a front perspective view and FIG. 3 a back, sideperspective view. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the two-handed controller34 includes buttons L-1, L-2, R-1, R-2, A, B, C, D, E, F and G,joysticks L-3 and R-3, and arrow keys 1, 2, 3 and 4. The two-handedcontroller 34 is configured to be held in the hands of a user with L-1,L-2, L-3, 1, 2, 3, 4, and A being manipulated by the left hand and R-1,R-2, R-3, B, C, D, E, and F being manipulated by the right hand. ButtonG may be manipulated by either hand. In various embodiments, thetwo-handed controller 34 may also rest on a surface or in a user's lapwhen in use.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment of a two-handedcontroller 234 for use with the electronic discovery system 10 ofFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the two-handed controller 234 includes abase L-5, buttons R-4, H, I, J, K, L and M, joystick R-5, and arrow keys5, 6, 7 and 8. In an exemplary method, base L-5 is configured to be heldand manipulated, for example, by one hand along with arrow keys 5, 6, 7and 8, while the other hand manipulates joystick R-5 and the remainingbuttons and switches of the two-handed controller 234. In variousexemplary embodiments, however, base L-5 may rest on a surface, such as,for example, a desktop surface.

FIG. 5 is a table that specifies exemplary default controller signalrelationships 82 for the two-handed controller 34 of FIGS. 2 and 3 inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present teachings. Asshown in FIG. 5, each controller signal relationship 82 is arelationship between the signal(s) produced by the manipulation of oneor more controller buttons, joysticks and/or arrow keys and a discoverycommand. Using such controller signal relationships 82, during thediscovery process a user 22 may navigate, for example, between files ordocuments within collected electronic data using buttons L-1 (i.e., withthe left index finger) and R-1 (i.e., with the right index finger). Anda user may further navigate between pages within, for example, a file ordocument using buttons L-2 (i.e., with the left middle finger) and R-2(i.e., with the right middle finger). A user 22 may additionallynavigate a cursor along an X, Y axis to select various functions thatare provided by the discovery platform 14 using joysticks L-3 (i.e.,with the left thumb) and R-3 (i.e., with the right thumb) and/or arrowkeys 1, 2, 3 and 4. And a user may further select or “click” anoperation by depressing joystick L-3 and/or joystick R-3. A user 22 mayfurther navigate between open panels (e.g., between a search menu panel,a search results panel, and a document image panel) and/or windowswithin the discovery software using button A; open the discoverysoftware using button B; open a print dialog box within the discoverysoftware to print, for example, a file or document (e.g., a collecteddocument, a redacted document, and/or a discovery report) using buttonC; open a search box to run a query within the discovery software usingbutton D; select all files or documents within a query result (e.g., forreview, tagging and/or redaction) using button E; open a redact featureto redact (e.g., blank out) selected portions within selected files ordocuments using button F; and open a menu within the discovery softwareusing button G.

As also shown in FIG. 5, various exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings further contemplate controller signal relationships 82 for thetwo-handed controller 34 that can replace the basic functionality of amouse and/or keyboard. As would be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art, FIG. 5 represents only an exemplary list of possible defaultcontroller signal relationships and corresponding replacedmouse/keyboard functionality. Various additional embodimentscontemplate, for example, that the navigation function can be replacedby manipulation of joystick L-3 (i.e., with the left thumb) and/orjoystick R-3 (i.e., with the right thumb), a drag function can bereplaced by selecting with joystick L-3 and dragging with joystick R-3,the right click function can be replaced by pressing joystick R-3 twicein succession, and the double right click function can be replaced bypressing joystick R-3 three times in succession. As would be furtherunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the various buttonsand/or joysticks of the two-handed controller 34 can be assigned to anynumber of additional discovery functions, such as, for example, thecopy, paste, and/or cut functions, without departing from the scope ofthe present teachings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the two-handed controller 34 also includes both aport 71 (i.e., for connection via USB cable 72) and a wirelesstransceiver 77 for communication with the terminal body 30. Other portsand/or transceivers configured to provide connection and/orcommunication between the controller 34 and a computer or otherelectronic componentry may also be provided in addition to or in lieu ofport 71 and transceiver 77.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of a user engaging in electronicdiscovery via an exemplary electronic discovery software platform 14using the two-handed controller 34 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 configured asdescribed above according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, and inconjunction with the system 10 of FIG. 1.

At step 100, the type of two-handed controller 34 is identified, forexample, via interface application 50. As would be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art, this may involve any suitable steps and/orprocesses. In various embodiments, for example, interface application 50may automatically identify the type and/or model of two-handedcontroller 34 based on signals and/or messages received from thetwo-handed controller 34. In various additional embodiments, a user 22may identify the type and/or model of two-handed controller 34 using aGUI displayed to the user 22 by the interface application 50, such as byselecting the appropriate type and/or model of two-handed controller 34from a list of different two-handed controller types and/or models.

At step 102, the mapping module 80 determines the appropriate set ofstored controller signal relationships 82 associated with the two-handedcontroller 34 type. The controller signal relationships 82 may include,for example, the set of relationships shown in FIG. 6, which arespecific to the type and/or model of the two-handed controller 34.

At step 104, interface application 50 receives a signal from thetwo-handed controller 34. In various embodiments, for example, user 22may initiate the signal by moving and/or depressing one or more buttons,joysticks and/or arrow keys on the two-handed controller 34. The signalis communicated from the two-handed controller 34 to the interfaceapplication 50 via USB port 62. At step 106, interface application 50determines the discovery command associated with the received signalusing the appropriate controller signal relationships 82 identified atstep 102. At step 108, interface application 50 communicates thediscovery command to the electronic discovery platform 14, and theelectronic discovery platform 14 executes the discovery command at step110.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method of configuring and reconfiguringthe controller signal relationships 82 associated with the two-handedcontroller 34 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentteachings. At step 150, interface application 50 identifies that thetwo-handed controller 34 that is connected to terminal body 30 is notconfigured. Accordingly, at step 152, configuration module 81 of theinterface application 50 provides a controller configuration GUI on thedisplay device 32, which allows a user 22 to configure, or generate, aset of controller signal relationships 82 for the unconfiguredtwo-handed controller 34.

At step 154, the user 22 may generate and/or communicate configurationinstructions to the configuration module 81 via the controllerconfiguration GUI, such as by making selections using the two-handedcontroller 34 or another input device, such as, for example, a mouseand/or keyboard. At step 156, the configuration module 81 generatescontroller signal relationships 82, which may be stored by the mappingmodule 80 in association with the type and/or model of the two-handedcontroller 34. At step 158, the user 22 may now engage in discoveryactivity via the electronic discovery platform 14 using the configuredtwo-handed controller 34.

At some point in time, however, the user 22 may wish to reconfigure oneor more of the controller signal relationships 82 associated with thetwo-handed controller 34. Accordingly, at step 160, the user 22 maysubmit a request to reconfigure the controller signal relationships 82for the two-handed controller 34. At step 162, the configuration module81 provides a controller reconfiguration GUI on the display device 32,which allows the user 22 to reconfigure the existing set of controllersignal relationships 82 for the two-handed controller 34. For example,the controller reconfiguration GUI may be identical or similar to thecontroller configuration GUI discussed above with reference to step 152.

At step 164, the user 22 may generate and/or communicate reconfigurationinstructions to configuration module 81 via the controllerreconfiguration GUI, such as by making selections using the two-handedcontroller 34 or another input device, such as, for example, a mouseand/or keyboard. At step 166, configuration module 81 reconfigures, orchanges, one or more controller signal relationships 82 and stores thechanges in the mapping module 80. At step 168, the user 22 may againengage in discovery activity via the electronic discovery platform 14using the reconfigured two-handed controller 34.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” and any singular use of anyword, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocallylimited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and itsgrammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such thatrecitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other likeitems that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

It should be understood that while the present teachings have beendescribed in detail with respect to various exemplary embodimentsthereof, it should not be considered limited to such, as numerousmodifications are possible without departing from the broad scope of theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for performing electronic discovery related toa legal or investigative proceeding, comprising: a two-handed controllercomprising a plurality of user inputs, wherein the two-handed controlleris configured to logically couple to at least one electronic discoveryplatform to facilitate processing of electronic data when performingelectronic discovery related to a legal or investigative proceeding, andwherein, upon actuation, each of the plurality of user inputs andvarious combinations thereof produce a respective signal that, whenreceived at a computer comprising a processor, is associated with adiscovery command used by the at least one electronic discoveryplatform.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two-handed controlleris a handheld video game controller.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the two-handed controller is a game pad.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the actuation of each of the plurality of user inputsand various combinations thereof that produce the one or more respectivesignals includes at least one of: a depression of at least one button; amovement of at least one joystick; a substantially simultaneous movementof the at least one joystick and depression of the at least one button;a movement of at least one arrow key; and a substantially simultaneousmovement of the at least one arrow key and depression of the at leastone button.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplurality of user inputs is associated with a discovery command toinitiate execution of electronic discovery software supported by the atleast one electronic discovery platform.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of user inputs is associated witha discovery command to open a menu of options within electronicdiscovery software supported by the at least one electronic discoveryplatform.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplurality of user inputs is associated with a discovery command relatedto navigation of a cursor or for selecting with a cursor.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of userinputs is associated with a discovery command to open a previous or nextdocument.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of theplurality of user inputs is associated with a discovery command to moveto a different page within a file or document.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of user inputs isassociated with a discovery command to save a document or file.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of userinputs is associated with a discovery command to open a print dialogbox.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the pluralityof user inputs is associated with a discovery command to select alldocuments obtained from a query.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one of the plurality of user inputs is associated with adiscovery command to redact portions from a document or file.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of user inputs comprisebuttons, keys, and/or joysticks.
 15. A method for using a two-handedcontroller for electronic discovery relating to a legal or investigativeproceeding, comprising: actuating at least one of a plurality of userinputs on the two-handed controller; and upon the actuating, producing arespective signal for each of the plurality of user inputs, wherein whenreceived at a computer comprising a processor, the respective signalsare associated with a respective discovery command used by an electronicdiscovery platform to facilitate processing of electronic data whenperforming electronic discovery related to a legal or investigativeproceeding.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating at least oneof a plurality of user inputs comprises actuating at least one of aplurality of buttons, keys, and/or joysticks on a handheld video gamecontroller.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein actuating at least oneof a plurality of user inputs includes at least one of: depressing atleast one button; moving at least one joystick; moving the at least onejoystick and depressing the at least one button substantiallysimultaneously; moving at least one arrow key; and moving at least onearrow key and depressing the at least one button substantiallysimultaneously.